First Gun show... Not terribly impressed

[adam_mac84]

I guess my expectations were a bit off. Lots of the stuff I saw pertaining to reloading was at or above retail (powder, primers brass). I did find a guy who does coated bullets 'online' that doesn't have a website for ~$31/500 (hitek), so that was a good contact. I had visions of finding people selling some cast stuff I could try out before plunking down on my first mold. I guess I will have to go to the FS/WTB section for that haha...


I am thinking these gun shows are more for the oddball-obscura that you can't find anywhere but the internet (and/or you aren't an internet kind of person). Lots of cool old stuff to look at, but anything modern was full blown retail or higher. Fun experience overall. For $6 i will keep going back even if it is finding one new contact person each time.

[maxreloader]

It all depends on where you are located and how many you go to... there are major scores to be had, just be patient.

[country gent]

also if you can be there the first day when they open the doors. A lot of venders have 1 of something when its gone its gone. Also, If you see someone carrying something your interested in Don't hesitate to ask about it. A lot bring ones and twos to sell or for trading

[WILCO]

Fun experience overall. For $6 i will keep going back even if it is finding one new contact person each time.

Best way to enjoy a gun show is to just go and have fun. Forget about finding a deal.
Look for something you need or just want. Shoot the bull, shake hands and buy something to eat.
That's how I do it. Never waste time with expectations.

[quilbilly]

Not all are winners. The one I went to a couple weeks ago was a dud but at the same run show at the same place six months ago I felt like running out like a thief after scoring a brand new (but old) Lyman 25 cal mold for $5 and the unused handles for $5. One good score a year is all it takes and they are fun anyway.

[Geezer in NH]

I have not been to one in NH for at least 10 years as they are a waste of time and money to get in.

[adam_mac84]

I was using up some of my good karma getting to go today in the last 6 hours of the show (sat/sun show). Had my 5 week old strapped to my chest and my wife (who shoots as well) in tow. So, we survived the event, no meltdowns, and we were out of the house. I guess that is a win in general.

I am emailing the bullet guy who i met tomorrow. may see if he can send me some uncoated as well (who knows if he is doing it himself) to try some PC from Smoke (yet to be ordered).

So basically after months of lurking, what I am feeling, is that I have joined an online gun-show/swap meet haha

[MUSTANG]

Gund shows are much like going to auctions. They are great entertainment if on focuses on that angle, where else can you spend $5-$10 for an hour to 4 hours of entertainment? And sometimes - you find a great value.

[Boolit_Head]

We have two gun shows around here. One is hard core retailers with overpriced merchandise. The other is hard core collectors and that is a much better show.

[richhodg66]

Bigger city gun shows are usually not real good, lots of dealers with tables of black rifles and the newest auto pistols. Yawn city.

The little town ones we have around here are old, eclectic collections of stuff and are usually big social events for the town. Most of the crowd is older and it seems like they're more interested in getting acquainted with each other than actually selling stuff. This is where I find good stuff and can stay interested.

[bbs70]

I agree that most of the gun show stuff is over priced, but no one is twisting my arm to buy.
I like to look around and sometimes I do run into deals.
Meet new people, see whats new, and spend time around people who share the same interest as me.

[country gent]

The local gun show here was an all day affair for me and my wife. By the time we stopped and visited with all the table holders we knew and went thru the show. Ran into them and fellow club members and friends then the things that interested us. Along with a little lunch.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Having sold at several gun shows in the past I will give you a little tip. Before the doors are open to the public most of the dealers make the rounds of the tables and snap up any bargains they see. What used to take place at gun shows were people who simply had stopped reloading or who wanted to get rid of surplus items. When more people started reloading it became very difficult to find anyone who had a surplus of anything.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I'm not sure where you're located, but since you seemed interested in a great deal, look for gun shows with more small time private vendors.

In my area, there is one or two shows every month in the major metropolitan area...and there are shows in smaller towns about once a month, that are 100 miles or so out of the metropolitan area...Now if one of the small town shows happens on the same weekend and a metropolitan area show...Most of the Big time dealers are at the metropolitan area show...leaving that small town show open to small private vendors...and those are the folks who will sometimes give you garage sale prices, as opposed to retail prices. Also, those small private vendors are usually the ones who are digging out the antique equipment out of the closet to bring to the show.
Good Luck

[OptimusPanda]

It's been my experience that while there are a few deals be had at most shows, it's nothing I have any interest in. What I seem to find (often at inflated prices) is variety.

[snowwolfe]

I quit going to gun shows. But I would be the first one in line to go back if they got rid of all the off the wall c r a p not even remotely connected to firearms and reloading.

[country gent]

Another is to look for "Club" gun shows held at shooting ranges and gun clubs. Mostly smaller venders and private sales at them also.

[Teddy (punchie)]

time of the year effects things.

[6bg6ga]

Been going to gun shows for more than 40 years. Each time I plop down $5( years ago) $6 0r 7 now I tell myself I've just wasted the money. I do however enjoy looking and holding a lot of fine guns. The smell of fresh primers, new gun boxes, and 8lb powder jugs fills the air.

Looking for a deal on a new gun? Your probably wasting your time as most prices (my area) are usually more than a new gun on gunbroker would go for. Sometime one might be able to pick up a loading press or a used scale at a good price.

Mostly I go to run into friends I haven't seen in months or years. A place to sit down with a coke and shoot the breeze usually about guns.

[dragon813gt]

I don't bother w/ the big ones. GunBroker has made it pointless to go to them. Only reason to go would be to hold it before you bought it. But w/ new guns I can do that at Cabela's for free. And w/ old guns I'm willing to take a chance w/ the auction descriptions.

I will go to the small ones. Some of the clubs I belong to have them once or twice a year. The small ones are the only time I see reloading/casting items for sale. Sometimes the prices are ridiculous. Other times I feel like I've stolen an item.

[JimB..]

Went to the show in Concord NC yesterday.

As a rule the guys selling powder and primers had the same stickers on their inventory that they had a year or 18 months ago, and none was selling.

I did see a pair of Ruger 96/22mag, fondled but didn't buy.

No contender barrels, saw one encore frame and barrel.

Bought a little .41mag ammo

[kmrra]

I quit going to gun shows. But I would be the first one in line to go back if they got rid of all the off the wall c r a p not even remotely connected to firearms and reloading.Bingo

[Smoke4320]

Have not gone to a gun show in probably 15 years.
Guns there are higher than retail mostly.
They charge for parking and entry so unless I save 30 to 50 dollars over what I can get elsewhere I'm just paying them to walk around
And a min of an hr each way driving time
No thanks

[frkelly74]

I went to the one they had at the Cocoa fair grounds just before the election. I did not see any deals that said '' buy me" except an 8lb can of Unique that did kind of whisper to me, but it was interesting. If you go you might just see something good, if you don't go, you won't.

[jmort]

We have a nice gun show here. Every two months at the fair grounds. Fills up two halls and I would say it is large compared to others I have attended. I like to go and look around for a couple few hours. I enjoy it. I may or may not buy anything. There are not a lot of great deals, but you never know.

[trebor44]

Having sold at several gun shows in the past I will give you a little tip. Before the doors are open to the public most of the dealers make the rounds of the tables and snap up any bargains they see. What used to take place at gun shows were people who simply had stopped reloading or who wanted to get rid of surplus items. When more people started reloading it became very difficult to find anyone who had a surplus of anything.

This is so true and I used to do this quite often. I like to go to a gun show and then compare how much higher the prices are above Cabela's! Gun shows like Flea Markets have become fleece markets for the most part. BUT, there are still good deals or bargains to be found. So, it is best to think of them as entertainment with a possible bonus if you find something cool.

[sparky45]

Gun Show nirvana is coming up in a little over a month in Tulsa Okla. If you haven't been you owe it to yourself to go mingle. Lot's of good stuff to look at and buy if you're so inclined. Some bargains and some over priced items but you'll never make it through the entire show in under 4-5 hours. They have some neat manufacturers booths as well as the spectacular Ruger exhibit. You won't find a better entertainment value, period.

[waksupi]

There are probably a half dozen gun shows a year locally here in Kalispell. The one at the end of March, ran by the Montana Weapons Collectors is the best of the year. Lots of high class firearms here, and not all that difficult to negotiate a good deal. They also have a fall show, that is decent, but not near as good as the spring show.
The others, you only go to if you are bored, or looking for something you haven't been able to find locally. You probably won't find it, but every once in a while an acorn is found.

[bedbugbilly]

WILCO's philosophy is a great one!

Years ago, I used to go to a gun show down in Toledo area that was fantastic - very little of the usual clutter and mostly guns and parts, etc. It was an education just to walk around and look and talk with others and I did fine a lot of "treasures" - sometimes guns, sometimes parts I needed, etc.

I used to go to one in Michigan on a regular basis but I finally stopped going. The same things every time and while there were some sales, it looked like it was more of a "social event" than a gun show. The only redeeming part of it was that the gourd that ran the concession had great hotdogs and homemade brownies.?

"Price and bargains" are in the eye of the beholder and those with tables have the right to ask what they want to for their wares but at some point, when you bring the same thing back time after time, pay your table fee and maybe sell something once in a great while - reality should set in. But, I'm sure many of those with smaller tables do it for fun and for something to do.

I finally stopped to the one in Michigan as I was tired of seeing the same old stuff everytime and in my opinion, it turned in to more of a army surpus, chinese knife and beef jerky show. But all in all, it is a good wy to spend some time, meet new people and have a little entertainment along the way.

On the reverse, I went to a show out here up in Tucson a number of years ago with a couple of other guys and I was really surprised. It was around 80% handgun, 15% rifles and 5% ammo, reloading and misc. Everything is different in every area so I wouldn't avoid going to a new one - if it turns out to be a dud, cross it off the list. But don't let it spoil your day or your enthusiasm . . . life's too short. :-)

[scarry scarney]

Out here, gun shows are a game of chance. Most of the dealers that come, bring the stuff they can't sell at the store, and they list it for retail. The used handgun market out here in California is almost non-existent. CA DOJ maintains a website, listing "approved handguns" for sale that have passed "a safety test." (The manufacturer paid a fee to CA to "test" their handgun.) These handguns must have the latest "safety devices" as mandated by CA. Most single action revolvers are exempt. You can still sell second hand, person to person (sale must be recorded by a FFL). The local shows have a best chance of finding reloading equipment, the big shows (larger cities) are mostly dealers.

[jcwit]

Ya know, I used to do gun shows. In my mix was US knives, Chinese knives, Pakistan knives, guess which was the best sellers and made me the most money? Chinese & Pakistan by a long margin.

I also sold military dishes, not gun related but they sold well and made money, which in the end is the name of the game!

This was not all I sold but it was 2 of my most profitable items.

Those that sold all the "non" gun related would not be there if they were not making money!

[Tackleberry41]

I have stopped going to shows mostly. Most often the prices are higher than just going to a shop. And anymore half the show has nothing to do w guns. People selling purses, beef jerky, jewelry cleaning. After paying entry and parking, its cheaper to buy elsewhere. Was a time when a gun show was a place to go for decent deals. Now nobody seems to understand you cant get retail price for used guns. I see the same people w the same stuff, stuff they cant sell, due to the price.

[jcwit]

Well the "dealers/sellers" sure aren't going there with the prospect of losing money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bob208]

the shows are not what they used to be. best time to go early sat. morning. in fact in the old days at big shows some would show up and help dealers carry their stuff in that way you got to shop early. another time that is a gamble is late sunday. dealers that had a bad show will deal ust to get out of the hole ones that had a good show will deal because they don't want to pack it up.

as said just go look around you never know what mite pop up. I have bought many guns from people walking around also sold many while walking around. I always tried to get a table near the door that way you get to check out what is walking in first.

[merlin101]

I found that i get the best (or only) deals at the smaller VFW type shows. The big fairground shows so are over crowded to the point it's almost claustrophobic. the big ones are interesting for people watching as it's always full of camo clad tacticoolians and mall ninja's. The small ones have the occasional seller that is more willing to deal or even trade straight up.

[Boolit_Head]

I originally posted this on another forum a while back. Thought you might find it interesting.

It's been a decade or so since I went to a Gun Show so I decided to go wander around one of the big ones we have around here. I needed some small bits and accessories, mainly a Glock Disassembly tool to keep in my range bag. Small Pistol Primers have also been unobtainable lately. I got to the show and quickly ascertained that if I parked a mile away I could save a bundle and only pay 20 bucks for parking. Seems all those spots were full and I had to park further out.I excitedly rushed up to the ticket counter after my 2 mile trek from the parking lot and paid my 10 bucks to get in the door. As soon as I walked in I started to remember why it had been so long.

The Mall Ninjas were out in force in their tactical operator clothing and their AR's tactically slung by their sides. I was worried, it's been many years since I last attended a Ninja re-certification course. But the Ninjas would do their best to throw them selves across the isle and in front of you so you did not see the really ridiculously high prices. I wandered down the isles and low and behold I found the reason for the 22 ammo shortage nationwide. There was a seller with three tables in a row piled chest high with nothing but 22 ammo. The smallest box of 100 was at a rock bottom low price of 38.95. Sheish I remember buying a box of 100 for .39 cents when I was a kid. Didn't like it when it went to 50 cents either.

About half way through I got pretty uneasy when I saw a guy with a vaguely Muslim like beard, But then I felt better when I saw a special squad of stealth Ninjas tracking him. They had quickly donned new sports jerseys that were three sizes to big so they blended in with the thugs. The disguise worked pretty well and I could hear them remarking about how sweet this or that was. I knew the real reason they were there was to keep an eye on the stranger.

I kept walking and nearing the end I saw the Ninja Quartermaster. He was easy to spot with the full pack in front and in back on load his bearing gear. He was prepared to stay for the entire weekend no doubt. Such dedication.

On the last isle I saw it! Something so threatening it triggered me to transition to condition red, but a purple haze transitioned before my eyes and I went on fully automatic reactions. The last thing I remembered was the woefully out of date Ninja re certification date on the card in my wallet flashing before my eyes. Luckily when I came to at the car I went to the body cam footage to review what had transpired. It seems I spotted the threat, and being woefully unprepared I quickly looked around for a squad of ninjas to assist me. Since none were around I started throwing my elbows and body weight around to neutralize the threat. Luckily I have a lot of body weight to throw around. I finally made it up to the table and got my hands on the only box of Small Pistol Primers available at the show. I quickly paid for the box and exited the area. Once away I realized I could be mugged on the way to the car with my treasure. I quickly looked for a squad of Ninjas to enlist but they were all investigating the commotion I had just caused. Oh the horror, I would have to make it to the car unassisted.

Once in the car and back to my senses I pulled out the receipt and saw the most reasonable price of $38.50. Luckily I did not throw myself on that plate of 5 Nacho's for 10 bucks. After the 20 dollar parking and the 10 buck entry fee that box of primers cost me $68.50. I think I'll go back to ordering from Bass Pro and having it shipped to the store.

[Blackwater]

Here in Ga., the Eastman shows have been pretty good, and the Gunrunner shows a close 2nd, for size and variety. Eastman's generally draw the most high end stuff. And I've bought and sold at shows, usually selling with a friend or partner to defray epenses. All gun shows are very interesting. All sorts of people at all levels of the sport, and with all sorts of things they're looking for and interested in. I've typically done best with things I had that I simply wasn't interested in any more. I doubt there's any single "general observation" one can really make about them. Haven't been to one in several years because of difficulty now getting around them, but hopefully that'll change before long, and I'll get back to it.

And whoever it was who commented that the "deals" don't last long after they open is right, and venders DO walk around and deal with each other before the show opens. This, I think, is where the real "deals" go these days. I know whenever I've been a vendor at one, I've bought everything I got (except from private sellers) before the show opened. They're just not as good for "cherry picking" as they once were because more folks are interested. This simply makes for more competition for the number of deals out there.

But at least I get to handle some new stuff that I might be interested in, and who among us hasn't made a snap decision to purchase there? One tip: If you find something you want, do NOT tell yourself you'll come back later and get it at a lower price. Any time I've done that, it was gone when I went back. Make the deal or don't, but do NOT plan to "come back" and find it still there. Murphy's law at work? I dunno, but ..... that's just been my experience.

[RogerDat]

I'm between two or three show venues all about the same distance. One is smaller, more older guys, families, some younger guys but not dominant. I go there because I can buy reloading equipment new from a Lee vendor, he doesn't beat Titan on price but if I'm buying one thing or a few smaller items he comes in pretty close once you count shipping. Titan wins for a 6 item order with $7 shipping, not so good for a mold or even two plus $7 shipping. I also buy reloading supplies there. Powder, primer, brass. And a fellow I purchase cleaning stuff and oils from and .... essentially I'm shopping from people I know due to having shopped there for several years. These are good people, very helpful and knowledgeable. I like doing business with them. Even a little swapping from time to time.

The other show to the east is closer to a big city and the surrounding metro area. The charge for parking there. More stuff by a good deal, more selection of items and some bigger vendors but sort of mixed on prices, there are decent deals but also some pretty "optimistically" priced items. As in you know you have to be an optimist to think I'm buying your ML for full price plus your gas money if it has a bore covered in rust, figure you didn't clean it for a reason, like you knew what it looked like under that rust. A few of the vendors hit both shows. Me I like the free parking, friendly crowd and reasonable priced food of the smaller one. I pay less for dinner at Denny's than I do for a soft pretzel and a drink at the large show.

I like having some none gun items, consider them accent pieces. Have bought two belts at different times and my current wallet at the gun show. Some decent jerky and some good BBQ Sauce locally made. If someone is selling something I don't want I walk past it, no harm no foul.

[JSnover]

I still enjoy them but I've seen a couple that had way too much non-gun-related stuff. I'm still able to say "I've never seen one of those before," plus I usually find that one thing I keep forgetting to buy at my LGS (last time it was copper solvent).
A few of years ago I bought two boxes of old factory-new "KleanBore" .357 LRN for $12 total because the vendor couldn't sell them. Guy standing next to me was disgusted by "them junky lead bullets."
Win some, lose some, I just look at it as a way to kill an afternoon.

[jonp]

I found the large gunshows here in NC to be a good place to compare, pick up and handle and generally inspect firearms side by side all in one place. You thinking of a new 9mm carry then everything you can think of is pretty much represented. If your expecting a deal your going to be disappointed. Still, prices are no more than any LGS charges.

Lot's of powder with one guy in particular, Blue Collar Reloading, that did not raise his prices during the shortage at all. When others were charging $225 and up for an 8lb of Unique his was still about $150. I make it a point to buy some primers and powder from him every show.

[starmac]

We have several gunshows a year, probably would be considered small by most standards.
5 bucks to get in, no charge for parking, about as cheap of entertainment as you could find anywhere.
I go for the entertainment, but don't pass up deals when I see one either. Usually around half of the tables are private sellers, the rest dealers and a few non gun dealers of one kind or other. I just walk by pretty much all the dealers, I do check out what a couple of custom knife makers have on hand.
It is the private guys that I check out the most, and generally find a deal at if one is to be had.
It is generally slow as far as castuing goes, as in pretty much non existant, some reloading equipment can be found at times.

[shooterg]

Shows in my area run 7-10 dollar cover - I look at it as paying to exercise, kinda like the wife going to the mall. Will go from 50 to 150 miles away to some, we make a day of it - do some antiquing on the way home, and always looking for BBQ ! Have found some deals, usually from individuals(still in a free state) - usually buy a few raffle tickets from different groups(and yeah, I have won some guns !). Sometimes pass by a flea market/yard sale and have made some scores there as well. The bride enjoys it(and it is true some shows have as much jewelry and coins as gun stuff) so it's just good family time for us. Hope to be taking the grandson along to some soon !

[JimB..]

I found the large gunshows here in NC to be a good place to compare, pick up and handle and generally inspect firearms side by side all in one place. You thinking of a new 9mm carry then everything you can think of is pretty much represented. If your expecting a deal your going to be disappointed. Still, prices are no more than any LGS charges.

Lot's of powder with one guy in particular, Blue Collar Reloading, that did not raise his prices during the shortage at all. When others were charging $225 and up for an 8lb of Unique his was still about $150. I make it a point to buy some primers and powder from him every show.

When I speak to them I always get the sense that the woman owns Blue Collar Reloading, not sure why. Either way, good people and good prices, got 20# of Trailboss from them in CLT.

[Kraschenbirn]

The same promoter (ECA) runs all the gunshows within 100 miles of here...same dealers, same prices, same junk, week after week. We use to have a couple of local 'club-type' shows but ECA deliberately scheduled their bigger, commercial shows to conflict with them and drew off most of the dealers.

Bill

[Beerd]

Anymore, I only go to shop for potholders and scented candles at the tables waaaaaay in the back.
..

[Handloader109]

Anymore, I only go to shop for potholders and scented candles at the tables waaaaaay in the back.
..

Ha, last one i went to, I only bought a bag of hot pigskins

[fatelk]

One tip: If you find something you want, do NOT tell yourself you'll come back later and get it at a lower price. Any time I've done that, it was gone when I went back.

That's for sure. More than once over the years I've seen something for a price that's nearly too good to be true. It's always when I've gone to a show with the firm thought in mind that I am going for entertainment only, have absolutely NOTHING that I need, and have NO intention of spending any money. That's when I see something cool at a great price, hesitate and walk away, only to change my mind and turn around five minutes later to see someone else walking off with it.

The last one a year or two ago was an older 4x Leupold scope for $50. Someone had painted it camo so it wasn't easily recognized. I hesitated and set it back down. I wasn't even five feet away when the next guy along grabbed it while grabbing his wallet. No worries; it would have been perfect for one of my .22 rifles but I really didn't need it, and the next guy got a great deal. Could be he needed it more than I did.

There's a really good gun show coming up next weekend that I'm looking forward to attending- the ARPC gun club show. It's usually about the best one in the state. I don't make it to more than two or three a year anymore so this one should be fun.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

One tip: If you find something you want, do NOT tell yourself you'll come back later and get it at a lower price. Any time I've done that, it was gone when I went back.
Well, I suppose that's true most of the time...I have a couple exceptions to that rule. Now both of these were at the one show I work, so I was there all weekend.
One was a Ruger #3 in 22 hornet (about 9 or 10 years ago, before Obama anyway). The seller (private collector like myself) had $600 firm on it. I eyed it friday night. I handled it saturday (several times) Saturday eve, right before close, I offered $500, he said he was firm. All day Sunday it was haunting me, but it didn't sell. Sunday as we're packing up, he offers it to me for $550. I stand firm on my $500 offer. an hour later, I'm still packing up. He had left, then came back...drove up to my car as I was putting the last of in. And said, kind of cranky like "OK $500, it better be cash"...then I find out his wife was crankin' on him to sell it to me...needed $$$ for bills I guess?

another one (a few years later), was a Ruger Redhawk 41 mag 7.5" SS, marked $475.
I let that one sit on the table all weekend as well, Sunday night during packup, I offer him $425..Bing Boom SOLD.

[Bent Ramrod]

Generally, I don't mind when that happens anymore. I'll go along the tables and think, "Wow; that's a great price on that. But I already have one." Or "Hey; that's the cheapest I've ever seen one of those. I'd get it, but it's not in my line." Or "Gee; I'd snap that up in a heartbeat, but I need another project like a hole in the head." And the next pass along those tables and whatever-it-is is gone.

I feel like the big-game guide who knows he can show a client a trophy moose any time he wants. I don't know if there is such a thing as a Gun Show shopping consultant, but maybe I ought to get some business cards printed up.:mrgreen:

The things I want I either dive on immediately or walk through the whole show, figuring if I get it on the way out, fine; if not, que sera, sera. Gives the Show a certain extra "zest."

[PerpetualStudent]

I've been to only a few. A small town gun show is where I found my revolver for a fair price. The really interesting one I went to though was one that was sponsored by a gun collector's society. That was really big and a lot of older guns and (to a lesser extent) casting equipment. Not many in the under thirty crowd but lots to see. I did buy a micrometer there but that's all. Well worth the admission price but no real deals, but I got to find out how some guns I'm considering felt, got to see how a tang aperture looked, and talk with a couple of castors, and learned not to buy the lyman cast iron lead pot and instead go with a rusted out frying pan. But check to see if there is a collecting society near you, I was really impressed by that gun show.

[Tenbender]

Gunshows here are good to show how high priced some people think there items are worth. How cheap they think yours are.

[historicfirearms]

I have a gun nut buddy that I like to go to shows with. We have been going to the same ones for years and have gotten to know most of the dealers. Most of the good deals are gone since the internet era. So fo fun we like to mess with the cut throat dealers. Sometimes we will bring in a really nice gun like a Python and let a dealer look at it. We will play dumb like it was dads gun and I really want a Glock or something stupid. Its funny the low ball offers you will get. Like the python plus $250 for the new glock. Ha ha. Good entertainment.

[birch]

Yup--It must come in the water here in Michigan. I once brought a 1938 Tangent and slotted Hi-power. I showed it to a dealer. He acted like he didnt even know what it was--said there were so many cheap gun companies that produced guns back in the day that it was hard to keep track. Sooo, he had a old homemade sawed off shotgun double that I asked him if he were interested in trading. He said he would have to have 200 cash plus the pistol to do the trade.

I walked away and I then had two other dealers bumrush me letting me know they had shotguns to trade even up--mossberg 500s and such.

In the gunshow world--It is about knowing more than the next guy. Which really makes the sleazy dealers hot. But........I am an addict, so I go pay my 5.00 and hope for the unrealized CASE knife in the "5.00 any knife bin".

[fatelk]

Gunshows here are good to show how high priced some people think there items are worth. How cheap they think yours are.

Isn't that the truth!

What's it worth? Well, are you buying or selling? If you're buying, they got gold; that old pistol is a rare vintage piece with honest wear and a nice patina. If you're selling, it's just old and beat up, with a scratch here and a ding there, not much demand for those so they'll have trouble selling it...

I understand a guy's got to make a profit, but some of those wheeler-dealer horse-traders really make an art out of "maximizing profit". I feel bad if I sell something and feel like the other guy didn't get a good value. Some of those guys really seem to get the warm-fuzzies when they take advantage of someone, the bigger the ripoff the happier they are with themselves. They're not all that way, by any means. There are lots of good folks at gun shows.

Gun shows are a lot like garage sales. There seem to be two basic types of garage sales. The one type is someone just getting rid of their old stuff. You can find some bargains here. They price stuff to move and are more concerned about making it gone than making a buck.

The other type is someone who thinks they're going to really make some extra cash by cleaning out the attic. They've watched too many episodes of "Antique Roadshow", and surf Ebay and Craigslist to price their valuables. No bargains here. I like the gun club shows because they seem to have more of the first type than the promoter shows. The promoter shows around here seem to have the same guys selling the same high-priced stuff just traveling a circuit week after week.

That's funny about the old Hi-Power. I did see the opposite one time years ago at a show, though. I was talking to an old-timer at his table and a younger guy comes by with a Luger that he said had been his grandfather's. The vendor was honest with him and told him that it was worth more than he could afford to give him, told him he really should keep it because he'd regret selling it, and warned him not to take any low-ball offers from anyone else. As I recall he told the guy that if he was intent on selling it, to come back by with the best offer he had gotten, to see if he could do better. I was impressed by his honesty. No, I really don't know enough about Lugers to have a clue if it was anything special.

[54bore]

I guess my expectations were a bit off. Lots of the stuff I saw pertaining to reloading was at or above retail (powder, primers brass). I did find a guy who does coated bullets 'online' that doesn't have a website for ~$31/500 (hitek), so that was a good contact. I had visions of finding people selling some cast stuff I could try out before plunking down on my first mold. I guess I will have to go to the FS/WTB section for that haha...


I am thinking these gun shows are more for the oddball-obscura that you can't find anywhere but the internet (and/or you aren't an internet kind of person). Lots of cool old stuff to look at, but anything modern was full blown retail or higher. Fun experience overall. For $6 i will keep going back even if it is finding one new contact person each time.

Exactly my experience with gun shows, the ones i have been to within reasonable distance, it's the same bunch of guys selling pretty much the same stuff at new prices, rarely find a good deal. I quit going to them unless i am looking for a specific hard to find item and willing to pay the price

[Uncle R.]

I've found a few bargains at gun shows, but I've haunted a lot of shows over a lot of years and true bargains on an item you're interested in can be scarce. If you go with the expectation of getting a great deal on a particular item you're setting yourself up for disappointment. You have to keep an open mind. Finding a bargain at a gun show is kinda like lightning. You can't predict exactly when or where it will happen, but you can safely expect it will happen now and then.

I look at gun shows as education. There are very few shows where I don't learn a few things. Sometimes I learn about guns, sometimes I learn about current price or market trends, sometimes I learn about human nature. When I see something new to me, something I don't know much about, I'll stop and talk to the dealer. They're usually happy to tell you everything you want to learn about the rare or unusual collectible on their table. Sometimes the stuff they tell you is true, sometimes maybe not so much. Either way I'm learning - about the gun or the dealer or both.

I agree with some of the posters above that the best deals are often to be had before the show starts or just before it ends, but again there are exceptions. You never know when a "walking around" bargain will present itself, and many of my best gun show finds were being carried around by people who were looking to sell or trade. My Martini cadet came home with me that way. I inadvertently walked up to a conversation between the seller asking 200 and a dealer standing firm at 175. It was years ago and prices were lower then, but even so I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was all I could do to stand there quietly and pretend to examine the dreck on the table. When the seller walked away I followed like a hound on a rabbit trail, and that Cadet was mine for the 200 asking price.

If you keep an open mind about what you're looking to buy you never know what you might find. Like a four-banger 452460 with handles in nice condition for fifty bucks. Yep - I really did score that at a local show. Or an RCBS JR press, 5-10 scale, a couple of loading blocks, a powder trickler, a powder funnel and a number 9 Speer manual - all in a cardboard box, all in nice shape and all for $35. I almost missed that one because I wasn't looking for reloading tools that day.

You might even make a score on ammo, like a few hundred rounds of Czech 7.62 x 45 in the GI boxes on strippers for twenty cents a round. It was clean, little or no corrosion (which is becoming an issue due to the age of the remaining stock) and his asking price of fifty cents a round was actually pretty good. I think the seller was tired of explaining to the mall ninjas that it wouldn't fit in AKs. When I asked if he had room on his asking price he started to say "That's not what you think it is. It's not 7.62 x 39 and it won't..." and I said "I know what it is. What'll you take for the whole lot?" I got it all, and I got it for a bargain price.

Like others have posted, I do get discouraged now and then. The shows in my area are all too often like those others here write about - the same guys offering the same over-priced dusty wares again and again and again. At least I don't have to pay for parking at any of the local shows, and admission fees are usually less than ten bucks. I don't even mind the "camo clad tacticoolians" and mall ninjas. They're usually young people and young people getting involved in shooting is a good thing, even if they think they have to dress like their favorite movie character.

Between the educational opportunities and the "people watching" diversions, there's a lot of entertainment for less than ten bucks at a gun show.

:bigsmyl2:

:coffeecom

Uncle R.

[fatelk]

My son and I had a great time at a gun show this morning. It was the best show I've been to in a long time, like the good ones I remember from long ago. I met up with some friends I hadn't seen in a long time, found some great deals on some old odds and ends, brass and such, and had a good day with my son. It doesn't get much better than that!

I walked right by the hundreds of tables of tacticool stuff, row after row of new guns, and lots and lots of overpriced stuff, to find the worthwhile bargains nestled away here and there. I think anything I bought that was worthwhile was always from the club guys cleaning out their old stuff, not the circuit vendors (though they sometimes have good stuff).

There's one guy who has been going to the shows around here who always has multiple tables loaded with big piles of old ammo and reloading gear, lots of old "estate" type stuff- old odds and ends, tattered bullet boxes, half full powder cans, ancient reloads, etc.. It always catches my attention because sometimes you can find really good stuff at that kind of table. I learned long ago to just walk on by. His prices are always off-the-wall high: new price for random old reloads, more than new price for used brass, $40 for that crumpled old cardboard can of Bullseye. I've always wondered how he stays in business; preying on suckers I guess.

[james23]

I love gun shows. Yes way too much high prices stuff. But the bargains are there. I find the vendor that is big in one thing has odd and sods that he will sell cheap cause its not his main line. One guy in particular always seem to have a deal that I cant pass up, a nice old Ideal 55 measure for $5 buck and the last show he had 1000 6.5 mm ideal gas checks for $5 bucks as well. No dickering at those prices.
As long as a guy knows his prices and the firearms he is dealing on I don't feel there is a lot of risk and its a fun way to spend a few hours. I would like to rent a table sometime at some shows just to be able to do the trades that go on long before the public get to come in.

[Echo]

Went to a big show here in Tucson yesterday, and wasn't impressed. Looking for powder & primers, and maybe casting stuff, and found ONE table that had a few powder containers, and NO primers. Ended up buying some toffee for $5... $4 to park, $11 entry, $20 all together. Bummer...

[Doggonekid]

Last gun show I went to I bought a new pair of Levis and a loaf of bread. Most of the used guns were more money than a new one.